The LuLac Edition #471, April 30th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: THE JUDICIAL ROBES WHICH HAVE SOME PRETTY IMPRESSIVE COAT TAILS IF YOU'RE A BROTHER IN LAW AND THE LUZERNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

LUZERNE LEGAL

If David E. Kelly didn’t invent “Boston Legal” he could have come to Luzerne County and taken a look at our legal system here. The latest comes from the Philadelphia where a public interest is saying young people in Luzerne County are being denied their right to an attorney. Joe Holden of WBRE TV broke this story last night. The group is asking the state Supreme Court to look into in hundreds of past and current Luzerne County juvenile court cases.
The Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia said the center was thrown into action after research showed that 50 percent of youths who went through Luzerne County’s juvenile court system in 2005 and 2006 were not represented by an attorney – a figure the center says is 10 times the state average. The question has to be “why?” Are we some backward “Hooterville” that can’t even comprehend young people charged with a crime deserve legal representation? We have 8 county judges and we’re getting one more. My feeling is these kids (and I am no fan of kids let alone those who break the law) were ignored by the legal system because lawyers and judges in this county are just plain lazy. No corruption here, because God knows the legal eagles can’t make a buck on a 16 year old whose family has given up on them. Nope, ship them to a facility, let them plead guilty and at least someone will get some money (the facility housing the children) and put these kids on the Constitutional garbarge heap. After all, they’re just the kids of working class, lower class and poor families. If they lived on Upper Demunds Road, different outcome, different story.
According to Marsha Levick telling the Times Leader, “The failure to provide even the “most minimal” constitutional protections to those youths resulted in many making admissions of guilt without fully understanding their legal rights or the consequences”. Levick is one of the people who filed a petition.

OH BROTHER!

I love Mrs. LuLac and I love my sister. But oh did I make a mistake when I picked out brothers in law. Both are honorable men who make fine livings in the Newspaper and Surveying fields. But the companies they work for can’t use my skills, or lack thereof. Now, if I were related to someone in the Court system, well can anyone say “bonanza!!!”? The latest revelations from under the dome are that a Luzerne County judge’s brother-in-law has been paid $877,880 to provide psychological services to the court system. And that work wasn’t publicly advertised. Hell, it wasn’t even divided up like the prison food bills!
The psychologist, Frank Vita, is married to the sister of Mike Conahan, who is now a senior judge in the county Court of Common Pleas.
Psychology is considered a professional service by county officials. My feeling about psychology is highlighted by watching “The Sopranos”. If you really watch the show, it is not about slamming organized crime or Italian Americans but the pathetic and haughty counselor Tony subjects himself to every week. I think if you cornered David Chase, he'd say it was a show that dissed the pyschology people. To me the profession is a sham and populated by people who ask us “how we feel” and “what do you think?” I have no use for anyone in that field because they don’t do anything to solve a problem. I went to a few sessions in the 80s to try to get my reaction to commitment straightened out. Guess what? I did it on my own without the pointy head probing of overeducated, bloviating furrowed brows who give you no reaction whatsoever when you talk to them. They charge you $150.00 an hour for you to solve your own troubles.
Anyway, I digress. In the County the 2004 purchasing policy requires public requests for proposals or qualifications for professional services over $7,500. The mandate is meant to give everyone an opportunity at the work and to gather cost comparisons, though there’s no requirement that the work will go to the individual or business that submits the lowest price.
And get this, Judge Mark Ciavarella said he has no problem advertising the psychology work, but he stressed that he does not believe the court is required to abide by the county’s purchasing policy. Telling the Times Leader, “The court is a separate branch of government. They (commissioners) can’t dictate how I manage the court system, as long as I am in compliance with the state law,” Ciavarella said. To their everlasting credit, both Commissioners Urban and Petrilla disagreed and said since the county funds the boys on the third floor with taxpayers dollars, maybe he should follow what the County does. In the 80s a well respected President Judge who was a long standing Republican icon was throwing a little bit of a fit over his appropriation from the County. The County Administrator at the time, a long standing and well respected Republican himself was thought by the news media to buckle under to the Judge. I remember him saying, “The Judge does what he does and I do what I do. He runs the courts and I give him the money to run the Courts”. My how things have changed. So if the Judges are a separate branch of government, maybe Petrilla and Urban can get a couple of double wides and move the Judge’s offices to the Forty Fort Airport for starters.
Getting back to the brother in law, here’s what he made the past few years.
$233,705 in 2004;
$189,495 in 2005;
$200,160 in 2006;
$180,360 in 2007
and $74,160 this year to date.
Now that’s what I call brotherly love.

The LuLac Edition #470, April 28th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRANK ANDREWS SHIMKUS AND CONGRESSMAN PAUL KANJORSKI.

RIGHT ON, WRITE IN!!!

In a stunning development regarding the race for the 113th Legislative Race, State Rep. Frank Shimkus has pulled within 400 votes of Kevin Murphy for the Democratic nomination to the 113th Legislative District state house seat.
Mr. Shimkus had 7,088 votes to 7,469 for Mr. Murphy, a former Scranton City Council president. Those totals do not include provisional ballots and some absentee ballots. The totals may change as more votes are counted and some major electoral issues are decided. As expected. the ongoing count includes write-in votes cast for "Frank Andrews," a media name used by Mr. Shimkus during his years as a television newscaster on both WNEP TV and WYOU TV and as a newsman and talk show host on WEJL AM Radio in Scranton. He served as anchor in both TV positions. Those votes could be challenged by the opposition. There are reports Shimkus plans to ask for a re canvass of the entire 113th district, said Jim Tierney, an attorney for the Shimkus campaign. The Shimkus campaign believes a number of voters wrote in Mr. Shimkus' name on ballots but neglected to darken the oval next to it, which would prevent the optical scanners from counting the vote. The Shimkus campaign would like those votes counted.
Shimkus was pulled off the ballot in a controversy about where he was living. The Murphy campaign confronted the candidate and did their best to have a Judge knock him off the ballot. Many criticized the Murphy campaign for stalking the representative. Others say Shimkus did himself lasting harm in front of a state judge when his explanation of where he was living strained the credulity of even his most ardent supporters.
Here’s the interesting thing about this. Shimkus has shown some real power in coming within a few hundred votes of Murphy. The wagons began to circle when it was clear Shimkus was in trouble. The Democratic House leadership in Harrisburg, holding on with a precarious 1 vote margin couldn’t afford to lose one of their own. Shimkus got a boatload of money to mount the write in effort. Then there was the Shimkus appeal. He is familiar to most voters and has a way of appearing sincere. I’m not saying he’s not but in the 2006 race, Shimkus beat Janet Evans and Kevin Murphy by person to person contact. This time, with the added drama of being knocked off the ballot, Shimkus went after his core constituency, educated them on the nuances of the write in and has a better than even chance of upsetting Murphy. If he does that, Murphy will be the odd man out since he lost on the GOP side. Both men have their champions, the district was dotted with equal signage of both candidacies and their supporters are vigorous in their defense. But both men also have a core group of people that just don’t like them. Shimkus is constantly criticized for his broadcast career maneuvers while Murphy is not a favorite of city union officials when he cast the deciding vote in declaring Scranton a distressed city. Murphy lost his re-election bid for Council. Both have some flaws but electability too. It appears though from my observations and the comments I’ve heard from people in that district that perhaps Murphy was too clever by half trying to defeat Shimkus legally instead of at the ballot box. With the added clout of the State Dems, his name recognition as the sincere guy in front of the camera (people in the media make the mistake that your average viewer, listener or reader actually cares what goes behind the scenes) and the negative reaction to the way Shimkus was shoved off the ballot, it’s a good possibility he may win the nomination on both tickets. And if he doesn’t, in the fall, Shimkus will prevail and all of this will be political trivia.

KANJO AND GAS

Congressman Kanjorski held a news conference at Phil’s Sunoco on South Main Street in Wilkes Barre this afternoon. The Congressman expressed his outrage about the high gas prices and talked about some legislation that in this election year will go nowhere. But the man did express outrage, joining his constituents in their dismay over high gas prices and obscene corporate profits.

JAILHOUSE ROCK

Luzerne County Prison Board officials suspended Warden Gene Fischi for one week without pay, and to place him and kitchen supervisor Jack Rentko on probation for one year. The board's actions are the result surrounding the controversy of no-bid purchases of food at the prison. San Guesto told them to do it but these guys get suspended. Guesto in the meantime heads the Luzerne County Judiciary as its Administrator. No word on whether he made any comment on this. But this action by the prison board is only a prelude to more investigations into the no bid contracts allowed under the dome.

The LuLac Edition #469, April 27th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: THE WORLD AND SENATOR OBAMA.

OBAMA GETS FOXEY

Senator Barack Obama finally appeared on Fox News Sunday today. The network had an Obama meter wondering when the Senator would sit down with host Chris Wallace. Today was the day and it was wortth getting up for and not tuning in to Jill Knopka and April Gonzalez on WBRE TV. Host Chris Wallace, who had started the clock because Obama has steadfastly refused to do his show, asked about Obama’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, as well as his Chicago connection to Weather Underground figure William Ayers. And he sought specific examples of how the Illinois senator has, or will, put into practice the bipartisanship that he preaches. Obama pushed back against “top-down, command-and-control” regulation that was popular with the left in the ‘60s and ‘70s. He credited the GOP with pushing market-oriented solutions and cited his support of a cap-and-trade system for controlling carbon emissions. “I think that the Republican Party and people who thought about the markets came up with the notion that, you know, what if you simply set some guidelines, some rules and incentives for businesses, let them figure out how they're going to, for example, reduce pollution. It's a smarter way of doing it,” he said. On education, Obama said “we should be experimenting with charter schools” and “should be experimenting with different ways of compensating teachers.” Both positions run counter to those strongly backed by teachers unions, a core segment of the Democratic Party base. Obama also cited a vote on tort reform that angered trial lawyers — another key segment of the Democratic base. And while he opposed the nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court, Obama noted that he took to the popular blog DailyKos in defense of colleagues who supported Roberts for chief justice. “There are a lot of liberal commentators who think I’m too accommodating,” Obama said. Wallace also pressed Obama on comments he made at the last Democratic presidential debate with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton about Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Ayers, the former member of the violent Weather Underground. Obama had said that he should no more be assumed to endorse Coburn’s position that doctors who perform abortions should face the death penalty than he should be assumed to endorse the Weather Underground’s embrace of violence in opposition to the Vietnam War.

STATE OF THE WORLD

Next weekend in Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania. Host: Mario Fiorucci and an array of citizens talking about the state of the world. Begins noon on Sunday May 4th. Speaking will be Joe Pilchesky of Scranton, who won the Free Speech Award
this year and Dr. Mort Malkin, the educational speaker, about health care reform and his new book about creating a 'culture of wellness' for everyone.

The LuLac Edition #468, April 24th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: LUZERNE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MARYANN PETRILLA, VINCE SWEENEY, A COMMISSIONER OF ANOTHER KIND AND OUR 1968 LOGO.

PETRILLA: TRUST ME!

David Capin, the Kingston resident who started an inquiry into Home Rule recently had a meeting with Luzerne County Commissioner Chair, MaryAnn Petrilla. Petrilla asked Capin to put his drive to get the Home Rule question on the ballot this November aside so she can change things under the dome. Unlike Commissioners Skrepenak and Vonderheid who told people to trust them in the ’03 election, Petrilla has put a time limit on her request. Capin agreed and Petrilla has pledged to make visible changes in progress at the Courthouse. Two things here, 1. Petrilla has used her power of persuasion, not seen in the campaign, at least by me, to govern. She defused an issue sure to take away from the Presidential campaign and gave herself some time to repair some damage done to the Democratic party. And 2, Get this, she said she’d think about backing the charter if people were not satisfied with her actions. Bold talk backed up by bold action. During the recent Presidential campaign in Pennsylvania, the Commissioner impressed many with her abilities ranging from coordinating with the national campaigns, introducing the candidate herself and keeping all the political dignitaries, or people who think they are dignitaries happy with seating arrangements near the candidate. So far she’s getting high marks for being candid, visible and straight forward. That can only be great for her political career and not too bad for the County she governs.

NEWSPAPERS?

How about all those newspaper endorsements Barak Obama got from the Philly Daily News, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Scranton Times, the Allentown Morning Call and many, many others? It seems like Pennsylvania residents ignored the wise men in the editorial board rooms across the state. Does this mean that people in the state have stopped reading newspapers? Stopped understanding them? Nope it just means that like always, Pennsylvanians don’t believe everything they read in the papers. Bitter? No. Knowing their own minds? Oh yeah! Those editorials are now lining many a birdcage in the Keystone State.

BANK OF AMERICA

Word is out this week that Bank of America has suffered its greatest losses since the company was formed by Italian immigrants at the turn of the century. The financial losses are said to be in the tens of millions. Nothing can make me happier. Out of all the banking institutions that hold credit card companies, Bank of America is the worst toward consumers. They have led the way with bait and switch credit card offers, they have raised rates to loan sharking levels that would make Tony Soprano blush and they have screwed the average American who is trying to pay off their debt. Having paid my Bank of America cards off, I now get offers from them asking me to join their “financial family”. I take the mailer they send me, take a sharpie pen and write in big red letters about the offer, “shove it up your criminal corporate fat ***!!!” Then I send it back to them using their own postage. Bank of America, what started out as something to help average Americans attain the dream, now has done much to destroy the lives of their customers. May they lose whatever remains of their tattered, bloodsucking corporate shirts.

GAS PRICES!

We can control the price of these outrageous gas prices. We the people. But we won’t because we’re wimps. My suggestion is to have a shutdown day once a month. It could be the 15th, the 30th but have one day where no one uses gas. Call in sick, take a vacation day, personal day, whatever. But don’t under any circumstances use your car. Shut down the whole country. What are they going to do, fire everybody? Stay home as if it’s Super Bowl Sunday or Christmas Eve. Don’t drive, don’t buy, don’t participate in anything going on in this nation. Chill, watch TV, listen to the radio, have sex with your wife, play with your kids, pray to your God but just don’t use fuel or any product that is related to fuel. See how fast those prices will come down.

COMMISSIONER SWEENEY

Vince Sweeney, Shavertown, has been appointed by Governor Edward G. Rendell and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to the Pennsylvania Public Television Network (PPTN) Commission. "I am honored to serve the Commonwealth and the Governor on the PA Public Television Network Commission. As a dedicated believer in the future of my great state, especially Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, it brings me great joy in knowing that I can be of service as we all move forward, and of how public television will play a key role in our inevitable success."
Vince Sweeney currently serves as the Executive Director of The SPCA of Luzerne County. He has an impressive and diverse background in media, broadcasting and entertainment. He was a familiar face and voice to residents of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania for over thirty years. Sweeney was the senior on-air weathermen for NBC affiliate WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre from 1985 to 2006. Prior to that, Sweeney was a high-profile radio personality on WARM radio from 1978 to 1985 for the number one rated radio station in Northeastern Pennsylvania. An alumnus of the University of Scranton and a product of the American Academy of Broadcasting, he has been recognized as one of “The Top Ten Most Influential Broadcasters In NE PA”.
“Vince Sweeney brings an ideal balance of experience to PPTN. He’s been in commercial broadcasting for years and knows what people want to watch and listen to,” said PPTN Chairman Tony May. “Equally important, he’s run a non-profit organization and understands the fiscal and donor structures that our eight member stations face.”
Mr. Sweeney joins 22 other appointees on the Commission, which is the policy and decision-making board for PPTN. PPTN is a technology service and grant-making agency to eight PPTN member public television stations. The network is committed to advancing educational, cultural and civic opportunities and supporting public safety. PPTN is accountable for Commonwealth funds appropriated to it by the General Assembly and supports its member media organizations in their service to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

1968

The cover of the April 29th issue of U.S. News and World Report had these headlines, “If It’s Nixon Vs. Kennedy, The Odds”, “Vietnam Truce? When?”, “Insurrection: Outlook In America”, “The Future For Gold” and “How Young People Will Vote”……..Statewide, Democrats in the Commonwealth planned strategy sessions for incumbent Senator Joseph Clark, an anti war Democrat who defeated Congressman John Dent, a pro war supporter in the 1968 Pennsylvania primary. The split party held meetings to unite behind Clark touting his 12 years of seniority…..Pat Salano of Hughestown was elected to a two year term as Chairman of the Luzerne County GOP…in Wilkes Barre, the board of education adopted a 1 and ½ earned income tax….in Pittston at St. John the Baptist school, the annual kickball tournament, played on macadam was played in the church/school parking lot, in an upset, the seventh grade boys beat the eighth grade boys although no one will admit that to this day and this week, in Lulac land and all across America, this was the number 1 song. From You Tube: Petula Clark and “Kiss Me Goodbye”, here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxIbCdZgkaw.

The LuLac Edition #467, April 22nd, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: THE PROVERBIAL KITCHEN SINK AND SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON.

UPDATE: 1:30PM--4/23/08

POST ELECTION

Well, election day has come and gone and here's my reaction to the big races:

CLINTON-OBAMA: There is a kind of "It's A Wonderful Life" quality about this race. What if it never happened? Look at the new registrations for the Democratic party! Could this mean that in 2010 the year cycle of change of parties for the Governor's office can come to an end with these new people in the fold? Something to think of because the political landscape in the state has been changed. Another point is that now the picture is not as clear as it was regarding the Democratic race. Clinton can make the arguement that Obama never carried a big state and Obama can state the case that he has more delegates and popular vote. This is going to be a fight, I believe all the way to Denver. There are some who say it will hurt the party but I think it will give it strength. The Dems have to ask how bad they want to win?.......Then there's the rivalry between Rendell and Casey. Rendell has demonstrated just how he has personally rebuilt the Democratic party in the state. Before he took office, the Dems couldn't even win any of the row offices statewide except for Bob Casey. And speaking of Casey, I don't think his political capital was hurt one bit by his association with Obama. Obama was going to be a tough sell in this state and Casey's support of him gives you an insight into his independent streak.......One thing about Obama though, anyone who can get Ethel Kennedy, the widow of the late Senator to campaign after 40 years is an impressive feat in and of itself....I want to see the numbers on how the new voters voted, if this surge in young people really materialized and what candidate they went to.....Local media did well last night. All three TV stations acquitted themselves well along wit Sue Henry and Steve Corbett on WILK Radio.

THE 10TH

What will happen in the fall now that Chris Hackett has won over percieved favorite Dan Meuser? Will the power brokers make up with Hackett? Will Meuser, who seemed mightly annoyed Tuesday night back Hackett? The fragmented Republican party, (especially in Luzerne County) has to decide how they are going to handle this situation. I say this GOP nomination is not worth much after the primary bloodbath.

THE REPS

Karen Boback beat back the challenge of veteran James May. Utiizing signage and good party organization, Boback's "Rose Garden" strategy worked. It seemed like voters didn't care if she debated May or not in the end. Look for her to win in a walk over Russ Bigus..........In the 113th, Frank Shimkus did what he needed to do: SURVIVE. Getting the GOP nod, Shimkus can run on a ballot for re-election. The party of William Warren Scranton, William Schmidt and Gene Peters has now become the "second chance" repository for candidacies gone bad. Shimkus will be formidable. He is articulate, (love Kevin Murphy but he's no speech maker) and can schmooze the seniors at their centers into pulling his level. Murphy on the other hand is young, smart (he got Frank off the ballot didn't he?) and can call on some old Democratic IOUs to get him through. This one will be fun to watch...In the 118th, P.J. Best proved to be a gentleman and articulate young man. For him, it was the wrong race at the wrong time but he'll be back big time......and congrats to Archbald's own, Ed Staback on another win in the Mid Valley.

PENNSYLVANIA VOTES

Senator Hillary Clinton won the Pennsylvania primary in a decisive victory that gives her momentum in the next primary, Indiana. Clinton, at 11PM was up by 8 percentage points (as predicted, that middle muddy ground) and has still carried another large state that is crucial to victory in the Electoral College. We'll have more analysis tomorrow but the Clinton "kitchen sink" strategy of throwing everything at Barak Obama has given Democrats pause in re-evaluating this tough primary race. Another "D Day" in this Democratic race has come and gone, the fight continues to another day.

THE 10TH

If the voting totals holds, as predicted on this site yesterday, Chris Hackett is on his way to being the GOP nominee for the 10th Congressional race. As of 11:30PM, Mr. Hackett is leading Mr. Meuser, 23,453 votes to 20,038 votes, with an undetermined amount of precincts reporting. When I was on WILK Radio's Election Night coverage this evening, I made the point that after this big battle between Hackett and Dan Meuser, maybe the GOP nod might not mean that much in the fall election against Chris Carney. We shall see.

STATE REPS

I was wrong on Boback-May in the 117th, right on Carroll-Best in the 118th, right on Murphy-Shimkus in the 113th (although it could take days to get a conclusive result) and right on Staback-Ducher in the 115th.

STATE TREASURER

Rob McCord wins. Wrong on Jennifer Mann.

MONEY TALKS

Senator Clinton sent a fundraising e mail after her win. Reports are she has raised hundreds of thousands. Mrs. LuLac got on line and coughed up some of her dough.

MORE WEDNESDAY

The LuLac Edition #466, April 22nd, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: SELF EXPLANATORY, DON'T YOU THINK?

ELECTION DAY

After seven weeks of debate, campaigning and national attention this area has never seen, Election Day is finally here. Choose well, choose wisely, but most of all, just make a choice.

PREDICTIONS

I'm terrible at making them, especially in terms of this contact sport they call politics, but here they are:

PRESIDENT: CLINTON by 8 percentage points: Like everything in this year's Democratic race, this will not be a slam dunk or conclusive. While the victory will be impressive, it won't be the double digits her campaign has hoped for. It will continue the contest but not in sharp, crystal clear lines the party so desperately needs right now.

STATE TREASURER: MANN: Running in a field against three men, the Allentown lawmaker will pull a Catherine Baker Knoll and get in.

CONGRESS: THE 10TH: Hackett by a hair over Meuser. The last minute campaign tactic on the pro life/pro choice issue, true or not backfires sending Hackett against incumbent Chris Carney. Carney, in a Democratic year beats the GOP winner.

STATE REPS: Murphy in the 113th with Shimkus getting on the GOP side, Staback in the 114th over Dudrich, Carroll in the 118th over Best and May in the 117th barely beating Boback.

Political predictions are like weather forecasting, they don't kill you if you're wrong.

BEST CAMPAIGN SLOGAN: "RON PAUL-WHAT'S THE POINT???"

BIGGEST WINNERS: Electronic broadcast media reps.

BIGGEST LOSERS: Electronic broadcast media reps. On the day after election, they'll be back to calling on Jack's Hoagie Shop and Billy Bob's Bait House to make their month.

The LuLac Edition #465, April 21rst, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: AT YANKEE STADIUM IN THE UPPER DECK IN RIGHT FIELD, NUNS WERE DOING THE WAVE, THE CEREMONY OF THE DOVES WAS A PRELUDE TO BENEDICT’S ARRIVAL, THE POPE COMING OUT OF THE BULLPEN WAVING TO HIS FLOCK AND THE TICKET THAT GOT THIS BLOG/SITE EDITOR INTO THE STADIUM FOR THE PAPAL MASS.

DOVES IN THE BRONX

Pope Benedict XVITH ended his five day trip to the U.S. Sunday with his largest venue yet, Mass at celebrated Yankee Stadium. Before a crowd of 60,000 people, of which I was one, the Pontiff called on all Catholics to live their faith by following Christ. Benedict, to the cheers of Benedicto, called on his flock not to lose heart "in the face of resistance, adversity and scandal," and encouraged followers to reject "a false dichotomy between faith and political life."
"'Authority,' 'obedience' -- to be frank, these are not easy words to speak nowadays. Words like these represent a 'stumbling stone' for many of our contemporaries, especially in a society which rightly places a high value on personal freedom," he said in a homily delivered during his last Mass in the United States as millions across the world watched on television.
Vatican analysts have said one of the 81-year-old pope's goals for his trip was to help keep American Catholics in the flock, as many have left the church in recent years.
An influx of Latino Catholics has boosted the overall U.S. Catholic population. Parts of Sunday's service were in Spanish.
"We think of the successive waves of immigrants whose traditions have so enriched the Church in America," Benedict said in his homily. He noted that the Mass celebrated the bicentennial the creation of the Sees of New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Louisville, Kentucky. No mention was made of the Diocese of Scranton. There wasn't any indication that would happen, I'm just stating a fact here.
The day started out cool and dreary in New York City but just as the entertainment was winding down featuring the likes of Jose Feliciano, Stephanie Mills, Dana and Harry Connick, Junior a warm sunshine enveloped the crowd. Entering the soon to be closing big ball park in the Bronx via the left field bullpen, the Pope thrilled the assembled multitude by riding in his Popemobile around a perimeter of the stadium. People stood on their feet, tried to stand on their seats and waved yellow and white hankies given out prior to the event. A visibly tired but enthusiastic Benedict waved to the crowd gesturing and smiling. The Mass began at about 2:45PM and lasted until after 4:40PM. Prior to the Pope’s entrance, a troupe of dancers choreographed plastic doves waving them throughout the stage. At the right moment, as the sun broke through and before the Pope began his trip to the altar at second base, hundreds of live doves were released. As they flew away dotting the blue sky, the cheers of the day died down to a level of reverence. The doves seemed to be signaling that the entertainment was over, peace was to reign, and the serious business of Benedict’s spiritual journey to the baseball cathedral was about to begin.

MUSINGS

Over 800 buses converged on New York City for the day….6 buses traveled from the Diocese of Scranton….On our bus, we even had a “Bus Captain”. Those duties were handled quite nicely by Paul Makuch who dispensed refreshments, took role and made sure everyone got back home safe and sound….Mayor Michael Bloomberg waded into our section to be interviewed by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien. The Mayor, dressed in gray pinstripes caught the attention of the crowd…….While many on our bus had to walk many blocks to get to the Stadium from the big bus lot, Mrs. LuLac and I took advantage of the “Special Needs Transportation”. New York City had a great shuttle system set up which got us to and from the ballpark. On the way back, I chatted with a woman who had a yellow hat that said “Staff”. She informed me that she was not a paid staffer but a volunteer. I was told that more than 500 people gave up their Sundays to work the event. When I asked why, she said, “Because he (the Mayor) asked”. We then got into a discussion on how under this Mayor, New York’s volunteerism for city events have increased four fold….Mrs. LuLac was touched by the way the police officers on every street corner asked her how the Mass went. They obviously were filled with pride that their city was hosting the event and doing it right……A beat cop I spoke with Julio said, “I’d work this for free, this where the action is and this is the place to be today”….When I worked as a sports columnist for newspapers in the late 70s, early 80s, I went to playoff and World Series games. But I then instituted a rule for myself that “you can see it better on TV”. And in a lot of ways, you could’ve seen the Papal Mass better on TV, but all that said, nothing could beat the personal connection one gets in a live event. While we only got a glimpse of the Pope, it was a glimpse we’ll never forget……This trip comes on the anniversary of the surprise party my sister and I cooked up for Mrs. LuLac's and my 25th wedding anniversary which was in ’07. I figured the only way I could top a surprise party was to see the Pope, although truth be told Mrs. LuLac has been critical of his Prada shoes. Hey, nothing wrong with a guy “styling”, even if he is the Pope. When I pointed out to Mrs. LuLac that I think the Pope’s double breasted winter white coat is incredible, she just rolls her eyes……From a personal standpoint, this was a very tough trip for me physically. I have brainwashed myself into thinking that I could still do the same things I’ve always done since my accident in 1999. Not so. Even with the Special Needs Transportation, the pain in my back, spine and legs was overwhelming. But just when it was getting worse, I remembered the Pope himself is 81 and if he could gut it out, so could I……The trip to see Benedict was my first Papal visit. There were other opportunities before for me but I never took them. I think that I found an affinity for the scholarly Benedict because of who he succeeded. Only three years ago, this Pope began his reign amidst speculation that he would never be as charismatic as Pope John Paul II. And if that wasn’t bad enough, in a recent Newsweek article, some column writer whose name I won’t even dignify said “Benedict just can’t connect with Catholics in America”. Oh yeah, I know of 60,000 people in the Bronx who would disagree……On the bus as we headed home, we said The Rosary. As a kid growing up, my family always said The Rosary but I must say that joint prayer has always made me uncomfortable. I prefer to think and contemplate by myself but thought the experience was a nice capping to the day. I asked a man sitting next to me if he carried rosary beads with him all the time. Incredulously, he looked at me and said, “Don’t you?” Note to myself, get some…….The Stadium food crew ran out of hotdogs, soda and chips. And street vendors were few and far between although you could get Benedict memorabilia…..The most striking shirts were football jerseys with the number 16 on the back and the name Benedict on top…..Then were those shirts in Yankee Navy with the number 16 and Benedict on the top. I'm sure Whitey Ford wouldn't mind sharing his number for one event.....If you are remotely disabled or have a real problem, when the Diocese of New York says you have a handicapped seating area, well you just don’t. We wound up in the bleachers in centerfield in row R. On the way to Communion, I think I had the New York City Police convinced I was either going to kill myself or a few others descending from those steps that had no railings. I got down but not before a bunch of people started taking bets as to when I’d tumble out into Monument Park…..Mrs. LuLac pointed out that we were no longer travelers but in fact, religious pilgrims. Never had that name hung on me before…….I have to tell you that the local media, particularly TV did a questionable job covering the event. First off, you know my favorite TV stations are WBRE TV and WYOU. Plus, I’ve been welcomed as a guest commentator for politics both local and national on WYOU TV. So you know I love them all over there at 62 South Franklin Street in Wilkes Barre. But Joe Holden’s report on the WBRE TV 11PM newscast included no interviews with local folks. Now granted Joe was in New York and like us, among thousands of pushing, enthusiastic people. His interviews with people from Illinois and Brooklyn were great. But here’s a tip. When I worked the Yankee, Shea and Vet Stadiums for my baseball column and I needed local comments, as people entered the stadiums, I held a sign, similar to ones you see drivers in airports using that simply said, “Scranton-Wilkes Barre”. That way your interviewees come to you instead of chasing them all over the creation. Meanwhile WNEP TV caught up to two Abington residents who shared a bus with us. News Watch 16 interviewed Al Vargo and his daughter as they departed from Clarks Green….Security was tight, Mrs. LuLac and I went through security twice, not because we looked nefarious or menacing Sunday but because we were directed to the wrong line. On the top of Yankee Stadium, right above the lights were sharp shooters posted high above….New York City was at its finest Sunday for this mammoth event. Everyone in authority was helpful, courteous and friendly to a fault. But New York City, which has always been my favorite city along with San Francisco and Cleveland lived up to Mrs. Lulac’s observation that “you can see where you want to be but not necessarily get there!” Well, we did get to where we needed to be and it will be a lasting memory for us spiritually, historically and culturally.

The LuLac Edition #464 April 19th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: SENATORS CLINTON AND OBAMA.

PRIMARY DAY '08

The weekend before the Pennsylvania primary of '08 is a busy one in the Northeastern section of the state. A Clinton supporter holds a sign outside campaign headquarters on South Main Street saying "Honk If You're Voting For Hillary". Wilkes College students are seen carring Obama signs down South Franklin Street and those erstwhile, never say die Ron Paul backers are across from TGI Fridays waving signs. I was tempted to ask them, "what's the point?" but didn't want to stop driving the convertible on such a glorious day. The former President Clinton was in town urging people to vote for another family member to reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The C-Span bus was asking public opinion. And as they say in those info-mercials, "Wait, there's more!" Senator Obama is slated to visit Scranton tomorrow night at the Riverside Athletic complex and Senator Clinton visits the Scranton Cultural Center on Monday morning. Our area is getting much attention from both campaigns. Hillary is here to gin up her big lead, hoping it will help her increase her percentage points as other areas of the state erode for her. Barak is here to make a dent into the Clinton lead, hoping to make the primary closer than anyone thought or win the whole thing outright. A guy named Tim Ryan has a website, he's running for Mayor of Scranton and is an uncommitted super delegate. On his site he asked people who saw the site to help him out and direct him, as a super delegate to vote for Clinton or Obama. Last I looked Obama had 60% of the vote. Who will win Pennsylvania? Percenting it out, there's a 85% chance Clinton will win. But then there's that 15% that tells me the race is not impossible for Senator Obama. One thing for sure, with apologies to his sign wavers, it won't be Ron Paul.

STATE REP RACES

Here's a rundown of primary opposition in races in LuLac Land:
112th: Kevin Murphy is along on the ballot after knocking off Frank Andrews Shimkus. Shimkus has mounted an aggressive write in campaign but those are always tricky. Shimkus can run on the GOP side if he makes the write in quota there. This will be one to watch.
117th: Incumbent Karen Boback is trying to swat away James May but is havoing difficulty doing so. Teachers strikes as well as home schooling has come up as issues plus Boback's reluctance to debate. A veteran educator vs. a verteran, we'll see how this plays out.
118th: Mike Carroll has opposition from young P.J. Best. So far this pair was the only set to debate. Both acquitted themselves well. And there's not been much negative campaigning which is a good thing.
115th: Representative Ed Staback will face his first Democratic primary challenge — versus Paul Dudrich — since he first won the seat in 1984. Staback, a long time politico from Archbald is running ahead. The only thing that might trip him up might be his age. At 70, it is acknowledged he is in the twilight of his career. If that's all Dudrich has to go on, it isn't much.

STATE TREASURER

I watched the State Treasurer debate on PCN the other night. Yeah, I was the one! One thing that struck me about this race is that they all seemed to like each other and get along. Each candidate talked about financial issues that went way over my head. The candidates are: John Cordisco, Jennifer Mann, Rob McCord, and Dennis Morrison-Wesley. Cordisco and McCord have been running ads against each other's financial acumen. Mann has touted her experience as a State Rep while all three male candidates have attacked her on the payraise and perks issues. Not to sound sexist here, but since 1960, the State Treasurer's office has been occupied by a female. Known politically as a "chick job" the only breaks came in 1976 when Robert E. Casey, the ice cream man from Johnstown won in a fluke election when people thought he was Bob Casey, Senior from Scranton. After running for Ltn. Governor in 1978, Robert E. Casey was defeated by R. Budd Dwyer who served 6 years, (he was re-elected in 1984) who later killed himself on live TV after being convicted for a crime some say was not really a crime. When Bob Casey Junior ran in 2004 to keep himself in a holding pattern (although I don't think he realized it then) to run against Rick Santorum. So I have to go with Jennifer Mann who will join the ranks of Grace Sloan, Catherine Baker Knoll and Barbara Hafer who held that office for a majority of time over the last 48 years.

The LuLac Edition #463, April 18th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: WILK'S STEVE CORBETT, POPE BENEDICT XVITH AND OUR 1968 LOGO.

THE FUTURE OF BLOGS

The grand old man of all local blogs, Wilkes-Barre Online did a review of the local blogs still standing. There is a perception in this area, and it is a true one that there are many political blogs. But most have started rapidly and then ended just as fast. There is talk that blogging is just going to be a passing fad and if you look at the entire spectrum of dead blogs out there, you might be right. But five are still standing and I’m proud to count myself as one of them. I took a different approach to the science, having had a newspaper, radio and TV background as well as a Major in Communications and Government. My concept was to comment, mildly provoke and educate. Wilkes Barre Online reviewed all of us recently and as always I thank him for his candor, honesty and erudition. Here’s what he had to say about us, the last ones seemingly standing on our own without a radio station or newspaper behind us:
Lu Lac comments the political goings-on in two counties, which is no small task. And he’s also the local political historian. His “1968” posts remind me every time that I was correct in ignoring politics until my thirties. Different time, different name, very similar results. He’s opinionated, but never mean-spirited.
Then there’s Gort. Frankly, he’s way too partisan for my tastes, but he can be objective when he’s not repeating talking points. He tries to make nice with those who visit his site and he demands some civility and decorum from his readers when they leave comments. He’s a dinosaur, in that, he’d have to be called a responsible blogger. But he needs to admit the error of his sporting ways and kneel before my New York Football Giants helmet.
Another Monkey? A breath of fresh air these days. Not limited to one or a few topics. Thing is, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into when you visit this site. Today it’s politics. Tomorrow music. Then next day it’s the Carpenter Bees terrorizing him in the backyard. And the very next it might be how beautiful it can be when celestial bodies collide, or how his car sucks. Very prolific and talented writer.
Things at Kings is almost indescribable. It’s eclectic, it’s memories on parade and it’s observations from the front window when the snow flies. Never controversial, but always there.
Kayak Dude’s site is devoted to Don’s passion--The Susquehanna River--and a few other related topics on occasion. He’s a smart guy, a tireless guy, a well-read guy and a very reasonable guy. Just don’t go throwing any sort of illogic at his beloved river, though. Ain’t gonna float.
One he missed was Rant, here’s his link: http://zenspoliticalrants.blogspot.com/.
My mission, coming up on two years this May 6th and close to 500 editions, is to be fair, original, educational and opinionated. The fairness comes from my days in news in radio. Original for me is to share my thoughts trying to filter the combination of newspaper, cable TV, Radio talk show hosts, other bloggers and the endless stream of e mail press releases. Education means trying to put things in local historical perspective, in effect saying that if we ignore our political history, we are doomed to repeat it. Opinion is simply my beliefs that I’m sure will find more disagreement than unanimity. But I wouldn’t trade some of my reader’s comments for anything. They are almost as funny, talented and gifted as all the other bloggers listed above, excluding myself.

WVIA’S ELECTION SHOW

Bill Kelly hosted “A State of Pennsylvania” this week which featured 4 local journalists. The topic: “Election ’08, did the local media get it right?” They were Bill O’Boyle of the Times Leader, Borys Krawczeniuk of the Scranton Times, Coulter Jones of the Citizen’s Voice and Steve Corbett of WILK Radio. The show was interesting because Bill Kelly just sat back, asked probing but quick questions and let the boys rock and roll. Steve Corbett took him to task because there were no women on the panel. Corbett, a self proclaimed feminist (and only a former boxer can make that statement in the Hill neighborhood and still have his teeth) told Kelly he should’ve tried harder. I’m sure Mr. Kelly and his staff did, but a few names, Renita Fennick, Nancy Kman, Sue Henry, Jennifer Learnes Andes, Jill Knopka, and Bianca Barr might have been a start. Maybe the WVIA staff did not want to duplicate the companies represented. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt but at one point I thought the lack of a female presence reminded me of the old WDAU TV days where only “the men” weighed in on important issues. Bill O’Boyle was magnificent in the way he explained his role as a reporter as opposed to being a columnist. With refreshing honesty, he mentioned that trying to write an opinion column on the issues he covered as a reporter was “stressful”. His more less articulate and egocentric brethren would never make that statement. Krawczenuik proved why he is fast becoming at a young age the dean of local political reporting with his cogent comments. Coulter Jones, the youngest of the group in experience recounted his coverage of the 10th Congressional race which sparked a discussion about money in politics. Jones also said that bloggers just ran press releases and most times essentially did not vet or break news stories. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, okay, when bloggers print it after confirming three sources it's a rumor, when newspapers do the same it's an AP award? Kelly was wonderful in keeping the discussion focused on the issue at hand but I’m not sure we’ll get the answer to the show’s main topic, “did the local media get it right?” We’ll find out Tuesday. As a blogger (oh my, now where’s that darn press release from WVIA TV!!!!???) and political junkie, I enjoyed the show immensely. But I couldn’t help think of the old joke that if the Lord decided he was going to scoop up the panel, the studio audience and the entire WVIA building into paradise, the headline in the next day’s newspaper would be, “Steve Corbett and 50 others go to heaven”.

PB XVITH IN THE BRONX

Mrs. LuLac and I will be in the House that Ruth built Sunday to see Pope Benedict. I am struck by this Pope's willingness to embrace American Catholics and do something his predecessor did not do, apologize for the church sex scandal. We'll give you a full report on the event.

1968

Forty Years ago this week, Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford removes General William Westmoreland as Vietnam commander, kicking him upstairs to become Army chief of staff and replacing him with General Creighton Abrams…….. In the Pennsylvania primary, held on April 23rd, Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy carried the county with 11,041 votes, Presidential write in votes (McCarthy was the only one on the ballot) went to Robert Kennedy, 1161, Hubert Humphrey, 391, Lyndon Johnson, 224, George Wallace, 96, Richard Nixon, 29, Ronald Reagan, 2, and Barry Goldwater 1 on the Democratic side. On the GOP side, Richard Nixon had 940, Nelson Rockefeller, 387, Ronald Reagan, 76, William Scranton 22, John Lindsey, 16, Barry Goldwater ,4, Raymond Shafer, 2, and Charles Percy, 1. In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Congressman John Dent beat incumbent anti war Senator Joseph Clark in Luzerne County but Clark won statewide…..Grace Sloan beat back June Reynolds for State Treasurer and William Cercone beat John Hannum for Superior Court Judge. Robert Casey, Senior was unopposed for Auditor General. On the GOP side, Hannum beat Cercone for the Superior Court primary, insuring the two would face off in the general election. Richard Schweiker was unopposed in the GOP Senate primary as was Warner Depuy for Auditor General, and Frank Pasquerella for State Treasurer….in Luzerne County, Congressman Dan Flood won the primary on the Democratic side as did his fall foe, Stanley Bunn who captured the GOP nod……In the race for state reps, there was little primary opposition with Frank O’Connell beating back Quentin Walters in the 5th, now the 120th, and Democrat Fred Shupnik prevailing over Eugene Ziomek on the Democratic side in the old 4th, now the 119th…….Delegates elected to the GOP convention in Miami were John S. Fine and Margaret Sordoni, on the Democratic side, 4 were elected to go to Chicago, they were Michael Lyons, Sergio Bartoli, Lea Csala and Joseph P. Noterman…..in Wilkes Barre James McClellend, a native of Western Pa. was named head of the city recreation board…at St. John the Baptist school, a mock election was held for President among the 7th and 8th grade classes, winners were Robert Kennedy on the Democratic side while Nelson Rockefeller won the Republican vote….and forty years ago in America and LuLac land the number 1 song was that insipid ballad by Bobby Goldsboro, “Honey”. With regrets, from YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_O_KePRKfY.

The LuLac Edition #462, April 17th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: THE LUZERNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

THE FINAL(?)DEBATE

Last night in Phiadelphia, Sentors Clinton and Obama had a wide ranging 90 minute debate. Both were pretty composed against questions from the ABC News team. In the debate, both candidates pledged not to raise taxes on individuals making less than $200,000, and said they would respond forcefully if Iran obtains nuclear weapons and uses them against Israel. Clinton said there would be forecful retalliation. The two differed over Social Security when Obama said he favored raising payroll taxes on higher-income individuals. Clinton said she was opposed, then Obama quickly cut in and countered that she had said earlier in the campaign she was open to the idea. Under the current law, workers must pay the payroll tax on their first $102,000 in wages. Obama generally has expressed support for a plan to reimpose the tax beginning at a level of $200,000 or more. The debate was the 21st of the campaign for the nomination, an epic struggle that could last weeks or even months longer. Pennsylvania, with 158 delegates at stake, is a must-win contest for Clinton, who leads in the polls. She hopes for a strong victory to propel her through the other states that vote before the primary season ends on June 3.

There are reports that former President Bill Clinton will speak at Wilkes University on Saturday along with the C-SPAN bus. Both are not interconnected.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

As a high school student, when Tom Pribula Junior used to accompany his late father to the Luzerne County Courthouse in the summer, then County Controller Joe Tirpak would ask the youngster, "What type of job do you want when you get out of school?" He replied, "Yours". Pribula never got to be County Controller but was named yesterday as County Budget Director replacing Sam Diaz. Pribula most recently worked as a financial advisor for Bank of America Investment Services Inc. He has also worked as an investment representative for Edward D. Jones & Co. and as a manager, financial analyst and accountant at Philip Morris Management Corp. and Nabisco. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Wilkes University and holds state insurance licenses. Others hired were Communications Director Jason Jarecki and Transportation Director Anthony DePolo.

Disclaimer: Thomas Pribula is a cousin of the editor of this blog/site.

MORE FOR OBAMA

Even after what many are saying was a weak debate performance, Senator Brak Obama today recieved another big newspaper endorsement. Following on the heels of Sunday's endorsement by the Scranton Times and the Allentown Morning Call, today the Philadelphia Daily News backed the Illinois lawmaker. In part they said: "A candidate's campaign may be the best indicator of how she or he will govern. If so, an Obama administration would be well-managed, inclusive and astonishingly broad-based. It would make good use of technology and communicate a message of unity and, yes, hope. It would not be content with eking out slim victories by playing to the narrow interests of the swing voters of the moment while leaving the rest of the country as deeply divided as ever. Instead, an Obama administration would seek to expand the number of Americans who believe that they have a personal stake in our collective future - and that they have the power to change things". Obama has also been endorsed by the Bucks County Courier Times and the Harrisburg Patriot. With Senator Clinton leading in the polls, it is interesting that the newspapers have bucked the trend. Whether this will help or hurt their endorsee has yet to be seen but it is something rarely seen since I've been following newspapers and politics.

The LuLac Edition #461, April 15th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: POPE BENEDICT THE XVITH, AND A PHOTO PROVING THAT "WHERE THERE'S SMOKE, THERE'S............................"

ME, BITTER?

Much has been made of the comments made by Senator Obama regarding how people in small towns across Pennsylvania are bitter. His comments have started a firestorm, provided an opening for Senator Clinton and has put the insurgent campaign on the defensive. The thing people are upset about is that he brought in two third rails of politics, guns and religion. If he had referred to anything else, maybe there would not be such a big deal made about all of this. But Campaign 2008, the year of change has also been for the Democrats a year of diversion.
On being bitter, here’s where I stand. I have a hard time being bitter about life. I enjoy every day to the fullest and Thank God for each breath I take, the people in my life and for what I have. Like everyone, I’d want more but fight that instinct when I see people worse off than me.
But here’s what I know, the U.S. Congress has been deadlocked since the Gingrich Revolution. There is little consensus and true understanding of what real people need. Politicians have been overpaid for under producing. Look at the State Legislature in Harrisburg. Locally, we are told that when a new company comes in they are bringing high paying jobs, for two guys and then the rest of us get $7.00 bucks an hour. Multi national corporation CEOs make millions of dollars in bonuses while they rob their workers of decent pensions. We are in a war that has cost us 4,000 lives. We were lied to about that war, more lies were told about this war than any in history. The Iraq War has lasted longer than the Civil War, and World Wars I and II. I am perplexed why Americans cannot see the true cost of this war. Are we so blind that when we hear or see the body count on “This Week” we don’t realize that those names flashing on our plasma TVs were the lives of real people? And speaking of Iraq, we are spending 30 billion dollars a month! Our roads and water pipes are falling apart and our kids are scoring well on “the test” but have no clue about the humanities. Our environment has been ravaged by the Bush/Cheney administration. Social Security is bursting at the seams and there is a crisis in health care. Gas prices are going for $3.50 a gallon and the oil companies wonder why people disdain them. When I went to King’s College, my tuition was $1500.00 a semester. Today, it’s $24,000. No wonder the kids drink on the weekend! As Obama says, some might cling to religion or guns. Maybe. But most people I know have retreated into their own homes, not coming out after work to socialize with friends are neighbors. We’ve become an insular society entertained by our toys and protected by our busy day planners. And no wonder, as things get worse, people move closer to home, to nest and protect. Obama’s comments speak to what is wrong with this country, we feel powerless to do anything. Guns and God, well there’s power there. True leadership means saying tough things, true citizenship means hearing and accepting the tough things you hear from a leader. I don’t know what the outcome of the Clinton-Obama race is going to be, I don’t know if his comments will sink his candidacy, but what I do know is that if this is the central issue in a campaign where so many things in this nation need fixing, then I don’t think we as a nation are bitter. I think we’re doomed!

THE SMOKING GUN

In any scandal, there is a ramp up. Watergate started in early 1972 when two reporters for the Washington Post started to put two and two together. The Clinton-Lewinsky saga began when one girl friend confided in another one about her dangerous liaison. The current county scandal started when the debit card issue came to the front, these were mere mistakes. Justifications were made about identical looking credit cards. The people involved paid the money back. Like all scandals, at first this one look contained. But like Watergate, a lawyer got involved and thought, “I’m not covering up for these guys”. Attorney Jim Blaum’s report on the bidding practices and Sam Guesto’s role in it now has produced concrete proof that bids were maneuvered to friends of the County Clerk and County leaders. This black and white paper lays it all out in black and white. There’s trouble under the dome. For everyone. Greg Skrepenak appointed these people, Steve Urban didn’t make enough noise about these obvious infractions and MaryAnne Petrilla bought Judge Mark Ciavarella's bill of goods about what a great asset Sam Guesto would be to the Court system. Now to her credit, Petrilla has changed her stance. But given Luzerne County politics, it will take nothing short of dynamite to get rid of Guesto. They say “where there’s smoke there’s fire”. The next bid the County Commissioners advertise should be for industrial strength fire extinguishers. The heat under the dome has officially arrived.

CARNEY’S AD

10th Congressional District candidate Chris Carney is running a radio ad urging people to vote. Without a Democratic foe, the ad is a luxury. “Whatever decision you make, the right one is to vote” says Carney as only an incumbent Congressman can.

PB 16 LANDS

My man, Pope Benedict XVIth has touched down in America. The Pope is going to be in the U.S. for six days celebrating the third anniversary of his Papacy and his birthday. We have our tickets for Yankee Stadium on Sunday. How excited is Mrs. LuLac about all of this? “You know I never saw Monument Park at the Stadium”. Reports will follow.

EARLY RETURNS

With permission, I have some early election returns for Luzerne County for the Democratic primary. My mom (87) and my mother in law (91) cast their ballots already by mail. Clinton 1-Obama 1. They could never agree on anything!

The LuLac Edition #460, April 13th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: GEORGE GILBERT, CIRCA 1966 ON THE VERY POPULAR WARM RADIO SURVEY SHEETS.

"DOUBLE G"

By and large we are a political blog that covers events in Luzerne and Lackawannna Counties. But we also dabble in pop culture and local media. That said, it is with great sadness that we report the death of George Gilbert, radio host, program director and radio legend of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The announcement came last night from George's son in law on The Radio Info Board:

All.... I'm sorry to announce the after a long and courageous battle with cancer, Geroge Gilbert passed away on Saturday night 4/12/2008 with his family by his side.George was a special person to me, not only was he my father-in-law, but he also convinced me to get off the air as a jock and move into engineering. After doing my fair share of 7-12 shifts, I moved to engineering and I owe where I'm at today to him. Anthony A. Gervasi, Jr. Sr. Vice President - Engineering & Technology Nassau Broadcasting Partners, LP

THE RADIO INFO BOARD

The Radio Info Board is a fascinating place on the net where old time radio people as well as newcomers and fans of any music genre talk about the past, present and future of the medium. Here are my comments about George Gilbert, posted a few weeks before his death: Someone on another post or maybe this one referred to double G as Mr. WARM. I'm sure there are many who aspire to that title. I think George was a great transitioning force for the radio station as an on air personality. Forget the community involvement work and the programming, that was pure broadscast savvy. But George bridged the gap between "the kids" who played that "darn rock and roll" and their parents. George on the air seemed like the big brother or dad trying to rein in the likes of Woloson, West, Shaver, Woods, and all the others. His style was understated, he rarely flubbed anything and he made it okay (along with the news department) for the adults to tune in WARM. In my mind, that is one of the least talked about aspects of his career, he was the epicenter of calmness in this new thing introduced to the coal region called Rock and Roll. One year, I want to say maybe '65 or '66, during his noon to three shift, on Good Friday, he did this three hour long narration of the Passion. I was home sick that Easter but I remember how well he did it. I mean as far as pure theatre, it was better than church! My first contact with him came when I wrote a rock column for a local paper. I was young then, maybe 15 and interviewed him about local radio. I of course came up to Avoca from Pittston on my bike. He was amused by that. 7 years later, at 22 I was interning at WARM from King's for a BA in Communications. On the first day I'm getting out of my car, (a canary yellow Camaro) the first guy I see getting out of his car is George. He looks at the car, looks at me and deadpans, "No bike?" We both served on the bi County Bicentennial Committee in 1976 and that to me was golden. When some of the more excitable members were going off the deep end in terms of excitement that bordered on the verge of camp, George pulled us back and reminded us this was the celebration of a birth of a nation and not some cabaret production. Our events proved to be pure classs, just like George. Yonkstur

For more about George Gilbert and the esteem his collegues had for him, please link to this site: http://www.radio-info.com/smf/

Click here for LuLac YOU TUBE video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6lEXSEQnDk.

The LuLac Edition #459, April 13th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: 13 QUESTIONS BY SEATRAIN LOGO.

13 QUESTIONS

1. HOW DO YOU FEEL THE MEDIA HAS TREATED SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON ON HER CAMPAIGN BID?

NATIONALLY, I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGES FOR THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN, SOME SELF INFLICTED. ON A LOCAL BASIS, THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE AND THE COVERAGE THEY HAVE RECIEVED IS VERY GOOD. HOWEVER, MANY LOCAL MEDIA PEOPLE HAVE SAID IT WAS EASIER DEALING WITH THE OBAMA PEOPLE THAN THE CLINTON STAFF. WHEN I WENT TO KING'S COLLEGE TO SEE HILLARY, I DID NOT FIND THAT TO BE THE CASE.

2. ONE OF YOUR FELLOW BLOGGERS, "WILKES BARRE ON LINE" WAS NOT HAPPY HE HAD TO PAY FOR A CAMPAIGN BUTTON FROM THE OBAMA CAMP. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

I THINK PAYING FOR A CAMPAIGN BUTTON VIOLATES THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM IN A CAMPAIGN. I REMEMBER AS A LITTLE KID GETTING BUTTONS FROM ALL TYPE OF CANDIDATES. THE 1967 REPUBLICANS EVEN GAVE OUT SODA BOTTLE CAPS TO KEEP THOSE BIG 40 OZ. BOTTLES FRESH. I READ "THE WILKES BARRE ONLINE" ACCOUNT AND THOUGHT IT COULD'VE BEEN HANDLED BETTER BY THE OBAMA STAFF. ALL THAT SAID, I HAVE NO PROBLEMS THOUGH PAYING FOR CAMPAIGN ITEMS. IT HELPS FUND AND FUEL THE EFFORT. IN 2004, I BOUGHT A NUMBER OF KERRY YARD SIGNS (THEY KEPT ON GETTING STOLEN OR VANDALIZED) AS WELL AS CAMPAIGN GEAR. I ALSO BOUGHT A TON OF HOWARD DEAN STUFF THAT I HAD PLANNED TO WEAR IN THE SPRING, HAD A FEW YARD SIGNS TOO BUT THEN THERE WAS IOWA AND THE SCREAM AND THAT WAS THAT! WHEN DEAN CAME TO WILKES IN 2004, I DID WEAR THE SHIRT AND HE ENJOYED SEEING THAT POINTING AT MY ATTIRE. SO I HAVE NO PROBLEM PAYING FOR CAMPAIGN STUFF. I THINK THE SOLUTION IS TO OFFER ONE THING FOR FREE AND THEN CHARGE FOR THE MORE UPGRADED THINGS PEOPLE MAY DESIRE.

3. SQUARE CUT OR ROUND?

I LEAN TOWARD THE SQUARE CUTS GIVEN MY AFFINITY FOR "VICTORY PIG", "ALFREDO'S", AND "THE SANITARY BAKERY"PIZZA. MY LATE GODMOTHER, ANNE YONKI USED TO BRING ME PIZZA FROM REBECK'S CAFE IN THE JUNCTION AND THAT WAS SQUARE CUT. THE BEST SLICE I BELIEVE YOU CAN GET IS AT SERPICO'S AND THE GROTTO. THEY GO DOWN EASY. BUT I CAN EAT PIZZA ANY PLACE, ANY TIME.

4. WHEN YOU WERE IN RADIO, TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE ON AIR STAFF PEOPLE YOU DEALT WITH?

THERE WERE MANY BUT MY FAVORITES WERE DANIELS AND WEBSTER FROM ROCK 107. KIND, DECENT, DOWN TO EARTH AND NEVER INCLINED TO TAKE ANYTHING SERIOUSLY ON OR OFF THE AIR. REAL GOOD GUYS. TALENTED TOO.

5. HOW WILL THE SCRANTON/WILKES BARRE YANKEES DRAW THIS YEAR?

PRETTY WELL, BUT I THINK YOU'LL SEE A BIT OF A LETDOWN AFTER THE FIRST YEAR. I CAN BE WRONG BUT I THINK IT WON'T BE AS CRAZY AS LAST YEAR.

6. ANY THOUGHTS ON SENATOR OBAMA'S RECENT COMMENTS?

A FEW. (a). IT GIVES SENATOR CLINTON AN OPENING TO ATTACK IN THIS VERY TIGHT RACE. (b) THE REMARKS PUT THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN ON THE DEFENSIVE JUST AS HE WAS GAINING GROUND FAST IN PENNSYLVANIA. I THINK THE COMMENTS STOPPED HIM COLD. (c) HAD HE MADE THE SPEECH IN PENNSYLVANIA, I DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE THAT MUCH DAMAGE BUT BECAUSE HE MADE THEM IN CALIFORNIA, IT GAVE THE PERCEPTION THAT HE WAS SAYING ONE THING SOMEPLACE ABOUT PEOPLE IN ANOTHER AREA.

7. ARE YOU A WEST COAST OR EAST COAST GUY?

I CAN BE BOTH. I HATE THE EAST AND ITS WINTER SEASON BUT LOVE BEING CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. HAVING BEEN TO CALIFORNIA A FEW TIMES, I CAN TELL YOU I LOVE THE PLACE, THE WEATHER, THE OCEAN, THE SUPERFICIALITY, ALL OF IT. PLUS I THINK BEING ABLE TO SEE A FOOTBALL GAME AT 9AM ON A SUNDAY MORNING MIGHT BE PRETTY COOL.

8. YOU HAVE A PRETTY PROLIFIC BLOG/SITE. ARE THERE DAYS WHEN YOU ARE EVER STUCK WITH SOMETHING TO SAY?

NOT MANY. THINGS IN LULAC LAND AND POLITICS ARE ALWAYS INTERESTING. THERE ARE DAYS WHEN YOU GET WRITER'S BLOCK, BUT YOU OVERCOME THEM. MOST OF MY IDEAS COME WHEN I'M EITHER IN CHURCH OR HAVING SOME QUIET TIME BY MYSELF. WHEN I DRIVE TOO, THAT STIRS THE THOUGHT PROCESS. SOMETIMES I'LL HEAR ONE THING AND THINK OF ANOTHER AND WRITE ABOUT THAT, SORT OF A STRANGE TYPE OF WORD ASSOCIATION.

9. HAVE YOU PUT YOUR TOP DOWN YET AND ANY INTEREST IN THE NEW CHRYSLER RAG TOPS?

I POP THE TOP WHEN IT HITS 75 DEGREES. NEVER BEFORE. AND AS FAR AS BUYING A BRAND NEW CAR, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? IF I HAD ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD AND LIVED HERE, THE LAST THING I WOULD BUY WOULD BE A NEW CAR. THE ROADS ARE DEPLORABLE. EVERYWHERE. SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET IS A MESS, SOME OF THE SIDE STREETS IN BOTH WILKES BARRE AND SCRANTON ARE FILLED WITH MOON CRATERS AND THE PARKING LOTS IN PLACES LIKE TARGET HAVE DEEP HOLES IN THEM EVERYTIME IT RAINS GIVEN THE FACT THAT THAT AREA WAS WETLANDS. NOPE, NO NEW CAR FOR ME IN THIS TOWN. AS SOON AS YOU HIT THE STREETS, IT DEVALUES THE CAR BY THOUSANDS, NOT TO SAY SCREWS UP THE ALLIGNMENTS.

10. DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAVORITE MONKEE?

LIKED THEIR MUSIC A LOT BUT THE ANSWER IS NO.

11. WHY ARE YOU GOING TO SEE THIS POPE?

MANY PEOPLE ASK THAT, THEY SAY "WHEN THE ROCK STAR POPE CAME TO AMERICA, YOU NEVER WENT. NOW THIS GUY COMES, WHY?" I GUESS THE ANSWER IS I THINK THE GUY HAS A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW AND I RESPECT HIM FOR TRYING TO OVERCOME THAT.

12. YOU SEEM TO GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO DEFEND POLITICIANS LIKE GREG SKREPENAK AND OTHER DUBIOUS CHARACTERS. WHY?

I GUESS YOU NEVER SAW MY EDITIONS ON BOB CORDARO, DICK CHENEY OR GEORGE BUSH. LOOK, SKREP HAS HIS PROBLEMS, SELF IMPOSED BUT SO FAR THERE ARE NO LEGAL CONSEQUENCES HE HAS TO FACE FOR THEM. COULD HE HAVE DONE THINGS DIFFERENTLY? OF COURSE BUT I'M SURE HE KNOWS THAT AND DOESN'T NEED TO HEAR THAT FROM ME.

13. DO YOU EVER BLOG IN YOUR PAJAMAS?

BY CHOICE, I DON'T OWN ANY PAJAMAS.

The LuLac Edition #458, April 11th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: OUR 1968 LOGO, POSTER FROM "THE BIG CHILL", FRED FLINTSTONE AND LOGO FROM "AMERICAN IDOL"

Click here for LuLac YOU TUBE video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6lEXSEQnDk.

CORRECTION

In our previous edition, we said that it was Bill Sordoni who taped a testimonial ad for 10th Congressional District candidate Dan Meuser, in reality it was Jack Sordoni featured on the radio ad. We have updated the previous edition and apologize for the error.

THE BIG CHILL

VS. AMERICAN IDOL

If we are going to put the Pennsylvania primary in its starkest perspective, maybe we should start referring to it as a battle of the generations. When Bill Clinton beat George H.W. Bush in the 1992 race for President, the WWII generation held the Presidency for 32 years. Seven men served, some not so well as the others. Now, after only 16 years, a new generation is challenging the “Baby Boomers” who gave us two Presidents, one good and in my estimation the other tragically bad. There is a divide in the Democratic party, the “boomers” were supposed to keep on serving for at least another 8 years. But events, as they do always in Presidential politics got in the way. Hillary Clinton was supposed to be the modern day FDR, saving us from the policies and ramifications of the Bush Presidency. Politicos reasoned that it was “her turn” and she took the role as savior and front runner very well. It was all supposed to go according to plan but as anyone can tell you, in American politics nothing goes according to the script. It is amazing how politicians have tried to write their own passion plays only to be derailed by events. (Looking at our weekly feature “1968” can tell you that). Then along came a little known Senator from Illinois who gave an astounding speech at the 2004 Democratic convention. A candidate building a campaign on one speech? Unheard of! In 1984 Mario Cuomo, the Governor of New York gave a great speech and he was talked about as a Presidential contender too. But the difference between Cuomo and Barak Obama is this: Obama pulled the trigger and went for the gold. The Clinton campaign had a plan against solid, sturdy white male candidates like Joe Biden and Chris Dodd. But they had no plan for an early insurgency effort by the Obama camp. Before they knew, they were in the fight of their lives. And the day after that realization, they were behind.
The Clinton campaign consists of veterans of “The Big Chill”. Baby boomers who saw and lived through the protests of the 60s, women who tried to advance in management areas in the workplace despite the attitude of their male counterparts. Their experiences of the turbulent 60s, excessive 70s, greedy 80s, and passive 90s was supposed to gird them to undo the damage of the Bush Presidency. They were technocrats, policy people able to fix things. But along came “the star”, the new kid auditioning in what looked to be a suit too big for him. He took to the stages and talked about hope, and inspiration. The judges, media and populace, liked him, said he had potential. But then he started to connect with real people, talking about gas prices, food increases and a new way to change things. Hillary Clinton was essentially saying the same thing, in some cases her ideas and policies were slightly better than Obama’s. But no one was listening except her fellow “boomers” and a few others. Drowned out by the charisma of the new Democrats, Clinton began to fight back. But she was fighting against a wave of change, a wave of change that should have been hers all along. Then the comparisons started, her millions to Obama’s half. Her connections to the past. His aspirations for the future. Both Senators had recollections of things that stained credulity. Her own was Bosnia with Chelsea. His was Reverend Wright. The difference was he didn’t let the Wright story fester like she let that Bosnia story go on. Today, there is her husband on the campaign trail bringing it up again just as the story comes out that he takes Library perks as an ex President. I have no argument with that either but in politics folks, perception is reality.
As the days shorten before the Pennsylvania primary, Senator Obama is gaining. He’s gaining fast. The “Baby Boomers” have become the adults in “The Graduate”, safe, well coiffed and admonishing that “these are the ways things are”. Their candidate Senator Clinton is talking about change. So is Senator Obama. But the Clinton message of change is stuck on celluloid, functional, reliable and entertaining. The Obama message is live, with millions cheering like they’ve never seen a great singer or dancer before. The generation that came after the boomers has been criticized for thinking that “history began on the day they were born”. It is the phenomenon of American Idol. Who’s on top now counts, who’s hot today. Two years ago? Don’t care, don’t remember.
This primary has boiled down to “The Big Chill” and “American Idol”. Two very functional analogies for two decent, exciting Presidential candidacies that in this year have the colossal misfortune to face off against each other. How ironic that whoever wins, will run against a candidate whose own movie might be “Back To The Future”. Such is life days before the Pennsylvania primary.

MEET THE FLINTSTONES!!!!

Let’s see, one of my favorite airlines Frontier is having problems. This is sad because it was reformulated in the id 90s by former employees and when you flew with them, you received excellent customer service. American Airlines after stranding a thousand passengers the other day offered their version of an apology, they raised their rates. Bend over traveler! Thank you! We virtually have no passenger rail service in this country, the last passenger train left Scranton in January of 1970. We are raising the price of gas so high that even a Sunday drive to Josie’s or Ritas or God forbid Mannings in Scranton is something you need to debate as a necessary luxury. Our infrastructure as WILK’s Kevin Lynn constantly points out is breaking down around us. Yet, CEO’s make 300 million in buyout bonuses as things crumble. We haven’t run out of rocks yet, perhaps my friends at Phil’s Sunoco in Wilkes Barre can put together Flintstone like mobiles for us to get around in. Only those with strong feet need apply. I fear that if things keep on going the way they are, in two hundred years (and Mrs. LuLac and I won’t care because we’ll be down in St. Mary’s Mausoleum just up a bit from my late buddy Johnny Pstrak) people are going to look at this huge land mass that was our country and ask, “what the heck was that?” And someone will say, “That was the United States of America!”

1968

Forty years ago this week, Martin Luther King, Junior was laid to rest in Atlanta, Georgia. Lester Maddox, governor of the state at the time, refuses to close the state government in honor of the slain Civil Rights leader, or attend the funeral. Maddox felt King was an "enemy of the country." The governor additionally stationed 64 riot-helmeted state troopers at the entrances of the capitol to protect "the property of the state."…………..Unlike this year, the Pennsylvania Presidential primary was relatively quiet with Governor Raymond Shafer running as a favorite son on the GOP side and Senator Eugene McCarthy being the only Democrat on the ballot……A report said that nearly 2 million dollars was spent by 1776 families through the Food Stamp program in 1967, that report released in April of ’68……in Wilkes Barre the new city manager called for a city wide reassessment program….At St. John the Baptist Grade School in Pittston plans got underway for a Spring concert that would feature a play by Class Vice President Paul Komensky…..and 40 years ago this week, the number one song in the country and LuLac land was “Valerie” by the Monkees, courtesy of YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjQg1EWBPyg&feature=related.